Flagler Beach, FL (July 25, 2022) – It’s been a big year for Flagler Surf Art & Cool Stuff business owner Carla Cline who was excited to celebrate with friends and family at the Golden Lion Café last week as she announced securing the trademark on May 24, 2022 for a quote she’s come to be synonymous with throughout the community.
The slogan “Please Don’t Make Me Cross the Bridge” can be seen on t-shirts, bumper stickers and other items across the northeast Florida region as part of Cline’s line of apparel and goods. As founder of Flagler Surf, over the past decade she’s helped visitors from across the world discover Flagler Beach through her surf camera and beachside gift shop.
“We invited everybody to come, wear their t-shirts and for me to say thank you,” shared Cline, who was presented with a proclamation by Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston, during the celebration.
“It feels good, like I finally get to take something off of my list,” she said of securing the trademark.
Coining the phrase, it’s catchy meaning has morphed from a local’s saying of not having to head to the mainland for groceries or other needs here in Flagler Beach, to resonating with visitors who run across the branded items and take them back to their hometowns, where of course, there are bridges.
Interestingly enough, it’s not just a desire to stay on the island that has people buying the shirts according to Cline. There are people with gephyrophobia, a fear of driving over or crossing bridges, who are also picking them up.
No matter the reason, Cline says she’d love to see the shirts and branded goods in every town across America with a bridge.
“The goal has been to get it to a shop in every coastal town possible, for sure. There’s bridges everywhere. I’ve sent them to the middle of Georgia, Orlando, I even sent one to Old Haw Creek the other day. It’s everywhere that there’s a bridge. There’s no challenge we can’t rise to and no bridge we can’t be near,” she said enthusiastically.
“It has been really exciting and I look forward to expanding my team as things get bigger.”
Flagler Surf Art & Cool Stuff
211 S. Third Street #6
Flagler Beach, FL
Image courtesy: Golden Lion Café
